Bet You (Bettor’s Delight) worked hard early and it paid off late in the Saturday feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The Heidi Rohr-trained pacer has been a winning machine this season out of town but recorded his first local victory of the year in the $18,000 Open Pace. Stephane Bouchard urged Bet You at the start and powered the four year old out to the early lead, working hard to get to the top in 27.1. The veteran reinsman gave Bet You a very effective second quarter breather and after reaching the half in 57 seconds fended off several challengers before hanging on to win by the slimmest of margins in 1:54. Sassy Hanover (Billy Dobson) sat the pocket to Bet You and closed quickly in the passing lane to be within a nose at the wire. Longshot Ideal Magic (Jim Devaux) earned the show spot. Bet You was one of three co-favorites at odds of 2-1 in the seven horse Open and started an exacta and triple that paid $29.60 and $126.50, respectively.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon at Saratoga with a matinee that begins at 12:15pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
